Welcome

From Scientific Discovery to Real-World Impact

Welcome! This website shares my journey as a scientist and the unexpected paths that opened up after my first role in early drug discovery.

I am a creative scientist who thrives on developing proof-of-concept cellular assays to visualize and quantify complex biological responses, generating actionable data for key scientific decisions.

Driven by curiosity and a love of new challenges, I later founded a science-backed skincare brand, gaining hands-on experience in product development, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. Equipped with that business acumen, I ventured into financial services, applying analytical thinking and strategic judgment in a completely different domain.

Across biotech, consumer product, healthcare, and finance, I’ve learned how science, business, and capital intersect to turn innovation into reality.

Explore Research

Who Am I

A Little About Me

Education

CAU

B.S. Chemistry

UC San Diego

Ph.D. Biochemistry

Research Focus

  • Cancer biology
  • NFκB signaling
  • Ubiquitination pathways
  • Translational oncology
  • Drug discovery

I am a multidisciplinary scientist with training across chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and cancer biology. I began my scientific path in chemistry at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea, drawn initially to organic chemistry and excelling in physical chemistry and quantum mechanics, before focusing in biochemistry. During that time, I became fascinated by how receptor signaling (particularly EGFR) drives oncogenic cellular responses.

I pursued my Ph.D. in Biochemistry at UC San Diego under Dr. Daniel Donoghue, where I received robust training in molecular and cancer biology. My research focused on defining the functional consequences of activating mutations in IKKβ, the central kinase of the NFκB inflammatory pathway. I uncovered a mechanism in which Lys63-linked ubiquitination on UBE2N crosstalks with constitutively active IKKβ mutant to drive aberrant proliferation, highlighting potential therapeutic value in targeting E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes.

My doctoral work later expanded to translational oncology, examining FGFR overexpression in androgen therapy–resistant prostate cancer. I demonstrated that FGFR behaves differently in 2D versus 3D model systems and showed the utility of 3D tumor models in bridging the gap between discovery and clinical inhibitor response.

In industry, I worked as a drug discovery biologist at Boundless Bio, where I gained hands-on experience in target identification and validation across multiple drug discovery programs. I generated engineered CRISPR and lentiviral cell models to enable mechanistic biology and support SAR and proof-of-concept studies demonstrating on-target responses.

I led cross-functional drug discovery efforts from target validation through hit-to-lead, with experience in fragment-based drug discovery, TR-FRET, ASMS screening, SPR, and omics analysis. I contributed to functional genomics, cell-based assay development, and high-content screening, co-authored a patent targeting ecDNA-positive tumors, and influenced go/no-go decisions in multiple early discovery program

Research Publications

Characterization of FGFR signaling in prostate cancer stem cells and inhibition via TKI treatment

  • FGFR1 signaling in castration-resistant prostate cancer
  • Novel 3D spheroid model for prostate cancer stem cells
  • FGFR inhibition reduces CSC survival and proliferation
  • EMT and metastasis-linked phenotypes in 3D cultures
  • FGFR-targeting TKIs as a strategy for AR-independent CRPC
Learn More

The importance of regulatory ubiquitination in cancer and metastasis

  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
  • Functional role of ubiquitination
  • E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and deubiquitinases that support the metastasis of a plethora of human cancers
  • Cancer stem cells
  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
Learn More

The importance of regulatory ubiquitination in cancer and metastasis

  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
  • Functional role of ubiquitination
  • E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and deubiquitinases that support the metastasis of a plethora of human cancers
  • Cancer stem cells
  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
Learn More

The importance of regulatory ubiquitination in cancer and metastasis

  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
  • Functional role of ubiquitination
  • E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and deubiquitinases that support the metastasis of a plethora of human cancers
  • Cancer stem cells
  • Ubiquitin pathway misregulation in drug-resistant tumors
Learn More

Research Publications

Cell Biology & Advanced Culture Systems

  • 3D organoids, iPSC culture
  • Cell proliferation & viability assays
  • Drug resistance assays

Molecular & Genetic Manipulation

  • CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
  • siRNA and shRNA knockdown
  • PCR, cloning, ligation
  • RNA isolation & cDNA synthesis
  • Real-time quantitative PCR

Protein & Pathway Analysis

  • Western blot
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Kinase activity assays
  • Ubiquitination assays
  • TR-FRET

Imaging & Single-Cell Phenotyping

  • High-content imaging
  • Immunofluorescence
  • FISH / IF-FISH
  • Flow cytometry (BD certified)

What Was I Up To Outside the Lab?

While my training was rooted in drug discovery, my curiosity pulled me outside the lab throughout 2025 — into classrooms, conferences, expo halls, and the founder ecosystem. After massive layoffs, hiring freezes, and restructuring swept the biotech industry, I realized I couldn’t just wait for opportunity to appear. I decided to take a leap of faith and explore how I could apply my scientific training in new ways, connect with diverse communities, and grow as a founder.

Guest Speaker —

Mesa College Chemistry

Shared my journey in science and non-traditional career paths with students, highlighting opportunities beyond the bench.

Gifting Sponsor —

Women's Venture Summit

Connected with founders, mentors, and VCs, gaining insight into entrepreneurship, funding, and scaling. mission-driven companies.

Exhibitor —

Manufacturing Expo

Showcased my business as a small scale manufacturer and connected with local representatives and community members and other businesses.

Ambassador (from Member) —

Hera Hub Business Accelerator

Built meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs and fostered a supportive network, empowering women through collaboration and shared resources.

Financial service provider

Helped clients diversify retirement strategies and implement protection plans designed to support long-term and generational wealth.

Insurance broker

Guided clients through complex Medicare options, connecting them with trusted medical providers and Insurance carriers. Engaged with senior advisors, hospice teams, and caregivers to better understand care coordination and align coverage with real-world needs.

Other Initiatives

Continued exploring collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and projects that bridge science, business, and community impact.

Professional Reference

Collaboration — Daver

Working with Juyeon was effortless — she consistently brought people together, aligned priorities, and made sure the team delivered beyond expectations.

Leadership — Jacque

Working with Juyeon was effortless — she consistently brought people together, aligned priorities, and made sure the team delivered beyond expectations.

Adaptability — Mehran

Working with Juyeon was effortless — she consistently brought people together, aligned priorities, and made sure the team delivered beyond expectations.

Sociable — Rachelle

Her genuine warmth and ability to connect with anyone instantly made collaborations smoother and the work environment more enjoyable.

Proactive — Avi

Working with Juyeon was effortless — she consistently brought people together, aligned priorities, and made sure the team delivered beyond expectations.

Communication — Amy

Working with Juyeon was effortless — she consistently brought people together, aligned priorities, and made sure the team delivered beyond expectations.

Blog & Resources

Let's connect!

Feel free to reach out for any inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to discuss academic endeavors. I am here to engage and connect with researchers from all over the world to advance scientific research, education, novel ideas, and entrepreneurship.

Send a mail

example@gmail.com

Let’s have a call

000-000-000

Download Resume